A suspect wanted on a murder warrant out of Tennessee was arrested in Craighead County on Friday after a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 555 ended with a tactical vehicle intervention, rollover crash, and engine fire, according to Arkansas State Police and court records.
Lemarkius Authurio Ross, the driver of the pursued vehicle, faces eight charges in Craighead County, including simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony under Arkansas law.
Trooper Victor Garcia detailed in a probable cause affidavit that the incident began when the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a pursuit along I-555 on July 31. Dispatchers reported the vehicle traveling north with its headlights turned off.
Garcia joined the chase at the Poinsett-Craighead county line, where a Marion Police Department unit was already in pursuit. Near the 35-mile marker on I-555, Trooper Garcia initiated a tactical vehicle intervention, causing the car to overturn and come to rest upside down in a field east of the interstate.
Police instructed Ross to exit the vehicle, but he called for assistance, stating he was trapped by his seat belt. Trooper Garcia reported seeing smoke and a small fire in the engine bay. While a Marion officer provided security, Garcia extinguished the fire, and additional officers worked to free Ross from the vehicle. Following his removal, Ross was taken into custody without incident.
Emergency medical personnel assessed Ross for shoulder and knee pain before Trooper Garcia transported him to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for further treatment. Initially, Ross identified himself to authorities as "Jonathan Matthew" from Tennessee, but a records search revealed no matching identity. Later, during transport, Ross provided his real name.
A records check confirmed that Ross had an active nationwide extraditable warrant for murder out of Tennessee, though court documents did not provide specifics regarding the case. During Ross’ initial court appearance, District Judge David Boling confirmed the warrant came from Tennessee and set bond at $2 million cash or surety. The judge also ordered GPS ankle monitoring as a condition of release. Ross is scheduled to appear in Craighead County Circuit Court again on August 21.
A search of Ross’ vehicle reportedly uncovered a purple Taurus handgun, three bags of suspected marijuana, and another bag of suspected methamphetamine, all located in a black duffel bag, according to the affidavit.
Under Arkansas law, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.